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Tom Pickering: Jazz on the periphery of the periphery
This article explores the initial encounter with jazz by Tom Pickering, and documents his usical deeloent until the first ustralian a onention in 146. The is a useful demarcation in time: the broad division in Australian jazz, which still exists, between those pursuing more traditional styles and those focused on modern styles (bebop and beyond) can be traced to this event. Through the examination of the early career of Pickering, the cultural transfer of jazz is explored. I argue that given the sociological environment, scarcity of materials and sheer enthusiasm for the American models, Australian jazz has at its core a distinctive sound that is nevertheless closely related to its American roots. Pickering represents the typical encounter and pursuit of jazz in Australia during the first half of the twentieth centur a teenage introduction to dance usic and hot usic, experimentation with instrumental performance given little to no tuition, appropriation of the music by imitation of recordings individually and within a group setting, and the relentless consumption of all available information connected to the art form. By taking Pickering as a case study, I will demonstrate the initial period of exposure and appropriation that is common to many Australian jazz musicians, which was crucial in the formation of an Australian jazz sound. Through the dissection of the developmental processes of a typical Australian jazz musician in the former half of the twentieth century, this article sheds new light on the identity of Australian jazz and demonstrates modalities concerning the international movement of musical form.
History
Publication title
Jazz Research JournalVolume
10Issue
1-2Pagination
109-125ISSN
1753-8637Department/School
School of Creative Arts and MediaPublisher
Equinox Publishing LtdPlace of publication
United KingdomRights statement
Copyright 2016 Equinox Publishing Ltd.Repository Status
- Restricted